Favorite Holiday Movies

About 8 years ago, I started amassing quite a collection of holiday movies.  I simply love movies and if they come packaged with winter warm fuzzies, even better.  I basically have a holiday movie for every mood and pull them out throughout the year {yes, throughout the year} to give myself a little jolly jolt.  Here is a list of some of my favorite holiday films to add to your collection.

Christmas Classics

A Charlie Brown Christmas - Good grief!  Who doesn't love this classic tale of the true meaning of Christmas?  And really, do yourself a favor and buy the entire Peanuts holiday collection.  Totally worth it.
The Original Christmas Classics Collection -  Two words... Rankin... Bass.  Nothing says Christmas quite like these tv specials. 
Miracle on 34th Street - Oh, yes, the new version - not the old.  I know this sounds like blasphemy but here's my reasoning.  1.  The Santa Claus is cuter.  2.  The love story adds to the warm fuzzies.  3.  Mara Wilson is both precocious and intelligent.
White Christmas - Few movies delight men, women and children quite like White Christmas.  You have the love stories for the women, the sentimental (but manly) army story line for the men, and the brilliant dancing and singing for the kids.  Win, win, win - pass the popcorn!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - It's amazing how someone so... Grinchy can bring Christmas cheer!  This classic still thrills kids of all ages!
Jack Frost - Rankin Bass really hits the nail on the head bringing this wintery hero to life.  The tale of Jack's wish to be human is delightful and funny.
The Year Without a Santa Claus - Personally, this is my favorite Rankin Bass production.  Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, Heat Miser, Cold Miser, Mother Nature!  What more could you ask for?! Oh right, there are two more films on the disc!

Ho-Ho-Hilarious! Holiday Films

Elf - Like him or not, Will Ferrell delivers as Buddy Elf.  Arguably one of the most quotable movies of our time, this movie is hilarious for all ages - though some jokes may be over little ones' heads.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation* - I had to include this one.  It's only one of two "not for all ages" film on the list but it's a family tradition to watch this one multiple times each year.  Everyone can relate to Clark Griswold's frustrations with the holiday season but persistent desire to make it perfect.
*Strong Language
Home Alone 1 & 2 - Sorry, 3 & 4... the first two Home Alone movies speak for themselves in family fun and laughs.  Who doesn't want to defend their home (or their uncle's home) against these two bandits?  And let's be honest, 2: Lost in New York is a great fantasy.  You know at least once you've dreamed of having with your dad's wallet in the Plaza Hotel all on your own!  Plus, save money by getting the double-disc set.  Keep the change you filthy animal.
8 Crazy Nights* - This one is PG-13 and that's because it's an Adam Sandler film - but man, is it funny!  If you don't like Adam Sandler, skip this one.  Trust me... he voices multiple characters and it's very much so his style of comedy.  If you do like Sandler, then buy immediately!  You'll be delighted.
*Strong themes

Romance for the Holidays

Borrowed Hearts - Who remembers this made-for-tv shiny bit of gold?!  This is a holiday must in my household.  I can't get over the magical situation they find themselves.  Ah, love.
Love Actually - Love... Actually... is actually a Christmas movie.  Don't you dare try to tell me otherwise.  And it's one of the best Christmas movies ever made.  I can't decide which story line I love the most and I try to figure it out every year!  What's yours?
The Holiday - The only movie with Jack Black that doesn't make my skin crawl.  In fact, I root for him in this one!  Such an adorable movie about finding love in the most unexpected places - but also, you get your dose of female self-discovery.  A little self-empowerment - a few meet-cutes. Awesome.

Christmas for the Kids

A Very Perry Christmas - Phineas and Ferb!!!  We love Phineas and Ferb in our house and you should definitely love them in yours.  The boys try to find a way to thank Santa for all the wonderful things he does while Dr. D tries to destroy Christmas.  Bonus!  You get a bunch of Phineas and Ferb episodes featuring Perry.
Prep & Landing - A made-for-tv movie gone Christmas classic - Disney hit the ball out of the park with this beautifully done digital animation story of the elves that prepare for Santa's arrival.  Again, this is a double-disc feature that includes the follow up hit "Naughty vs. Nice".
Yes, Virginia - This story is based around the tale of a young girl writing to a newspaper asking if there is a Santa Claus. Adorable and fabulous animation.  A tear-jerker too!
Eloise at Christmastime - Julie Andrews plays Nanny to the precocious six-year-old Eloise who terrorizes the Plaza Hotel.  This adventure is both romantic and adorable.  Little girls will LOVE Eloise!
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - Another brilliant production by Disney, this bundle of Christmas joy delivers on three classic holiday stories (The Gift of the Magi, Christmas Everyday, and The Spirit of Christmas).  Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang have roles in this amazing collection.
Mickey's Christmas Carol - This collection has four Disney holiday specials but two of note.  One, Disney's rendition of A Christmas Carol.  Two, Pluto's Christmas Tree - you know, the one where Mickey and Pluto bring the Christmas tree home and Chip and Dale are inside.  Yup, this is a household must!

Festive Flicks for the Whole Family

The Santa Claus 1, 2, & 3 - I love every single one of these movies.  Sure, the first one is the best - no doubt about that.  But the second one has a love story and the third one is about a jealous Jack Frost.  It's a great marathon of movies to watch while wrapping gifts.  Plus the music is pretty great.

The Muppet's Christmas Carol - Speaking of great music - this can't be beat!  The magic of Jim Henson meets the magic of Charles Dickens in a version of A Christmas Carol that sticks as close to the true tale without freaking kids out.  

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Again, like him or not, Jim Carrey is briiiiiilliant in this movie.  Yes, it expands (and deviates slightly) from the original tale, but come on!  Who didn't wish there was a bit more of a background?!  

From TV to You

The Simpsons Christmas - This was recent purchase for me and it turned out to be amazing!  You get a disc full of Simpsons holiday tales of good tidings in one place.  What more could you ask for?

Holidays with Spongebob - Here's the great thing about this collection - it's HUGE!  You get Halloween, Christmas and Valentines-ish all in one set.  Yes, Spongebob is annoying, but we love him and this will be spongey overload!

Nick Picks Holiday - 2 Rugrats tales, Spongebob, Fairly Odd Parents, Teenage Robot and Danny Phantom and Chalk Zone.  Even if you don't know the name of those cartoons, you'll realize how awesome this collection is when you put your kiddos in front of it and they are sucked in.

**If you're looking for older Nickelodeon shows, check out iTunes.  You can find specials from Doug, Rocko's Modern Life, As Told by Ginger, etc. available for download.

A Flintstone's Christmas Collection - This collection includes two Flinstone's classics - The special where Santa sprains his ankle and Barney and Fred have to save Christmas.  And the special with Pebbles and Bam-Bam all grown up.  

Now that I've inspired you to spend hundreds of dollars on movies...tell me...

What's your favorite Christmas/Holiday movie?